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Sony W650

 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
 
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony W650 summary

Sony W650 is Sony's Small Sensor Compact digital camera initially introduced on January of 2012. It has got a 16 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a full resolution of 4608 x 3456.

The W650 places at #79 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and over all #886 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our collection. Please check out our Smart camera finder to see camera rankings based on your personal factors.

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The following is a chart of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Sony W650 history

The Sony W650 is part of a family of cameras. You can read the complete list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX500 front thumbnailSony WX500
W650 vs WX500
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2015
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W800 front thumbnailSony W800
W650 vs W800
26-130mm
F3.2-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2014
Photography Glossary
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX350 front thumbnailSony WX350
W650 vs WX350
25-500mm
F3.5-6.5
18MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX300 front thumbnailSony WX300
W650 vs WX300
25-500mm
F3.5-6.5
18MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W730 front thumbnailSony W730
W650 vs W730
25-224mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W710 front thumbnailSony W710
W650 vs W710
28-140mm
F3.2-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX80 front thumbnailSony WX80
W650 vs WX80
28-224mm
F3.3-8.0
16MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX150 front thumbnailSony WX150
W650 vs WX150
25-250mm
F3.3-5.9
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W690 front thumbnailSony W690
W650 vs W690
25-250mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX50 front thumbnailSony WX50
W650 vs WX50
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX70 front thumbnailSony WX70
W650 vs WX70
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W610 front thumbnailSony W610
W650 vs W610
26-105mm
F2.8-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W620 front thumbnailSony W620
W650 vs W620
28-140mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W650 front thumbnailSony W65025-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX30 front thumbnailSony WX30
W650 vs WX30
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX10 front thumbnailSony WX10
W650 vs WX10
24-168mm
F2.4-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX5 front thumbnailSony WX5
W650 vs WX5
24-120mm
F2.4-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W370 front thumbnailSony W370
W650 vs W370
34-238mm
F3.6-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W290 front thumbnailSony W290
W650 vs W290
28-140mm
F3.3-5.2
12MP1/2.3"2009
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230 front thumbnailSony W230
W650 vs W230
30-120mm
F2.8-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W220 front thumbnailSony W220
W650 vs W220
30-120mm
F2.8-7.1
12MP1/2.3"2009

Sony W650 Pros and Cons

Here is a checklist of pros and cons of the Sony W650 based on features that are generally regarded as crucial in a digital camera.

decent sized screen (3 inch)
flash built-in
good zoom range (25-125mm 5.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (124 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
offers tracking focus
pretty wide (25mm)
very good minimum ISO (80)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't use external flash
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have HDMI port
does not have headphone port
does not have microphone port
does not have Timelapse function
fixed screen
lack of aperture priority mode
lacks phase detect autofocus
lacks RAW files
low resolution screen (230 k dot)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
manual focus not available
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
max zoom aperture not good (f6.3)
no manual mode
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Sony W650 Sensor features

The Sony W650 features the BIONZ processor chip. The spec of the sensor in the Sony W650 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4608 x 3456 pixels using aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter can easily lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 16MP and provides a standard ISO range of 80 - 3200. Unfortunately, RAW files are not saved which means that you have less room to maneuver in post.

The picture below illustrates the W650's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The W650 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is pointed out in green.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 sensor size President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

To get an understanding of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sony W650 dimensions

Sony W650 weighs 0.27 pounds (124g or 4.37 ounces) and the physical size of the camera is 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7"). The weight of average Small Sensor Compact camera is 174g so the Sony W650 is less heavy as compared with various competitors.

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The following is a visual of the Sony W650 next to a softdrink so you can have a feel for its size.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will show the button design on the W650.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 topview buttons dials

Sony W650 Lens features

The W650 has got a built-in lens having a focal range of 25-125mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really perfect but it will surely be helpful in some circumstances.

At it's widest 25mm, the lens provides an aperture of f2.6 and that's quite sluggish and not good in low light occasions and you may struggle to capture good bokeh. You will also need to increase your ISO giving you noisy shots. With the long end, 125mm comes at f6.3 making it really sluggish and you may have to apply slower shutter speeds.

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Sony W650 Connectivity

The W650 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes

Digital cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth support can be used wirelessly with smartphones. You are able to transfer images and in some cases adjust settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

A few apps also enable a Liveview and release the shutter in case you are not close to the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can be hooked up to an external display. Many cameras will allow you to charge the battery pack through the USB port.

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Sony W650 Video features

The highest possible video resolution in the Sony W650 is 1280 x 720 and it can record in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 720p is terrible by today's requirements. You should really strive for at least FUll HD resolution for good video. The body does not offer a mic and headphone port which means you have got absolutely no control over your sound. It is probably best to take a look at another camera should you require better sound in your videos.

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Sony W650 Weather Sealing

Sony W650 does not have environment proofing so wet conditions can easily damage the camera.

Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder

The Sony W650 has got a 3" fixed display screen having a resolution of 230k dots.

Unfortunately the display screen isn't a touch screen.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 screen and viewfinder Photography Glossary

The View Finder specs regarding Sony W650 are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders can be pretty beneficial for bright outdoor situations which will make the camera screen washed out and very difficult to view.

Sony W650 Shutter features

Sony W650 continuous shooting speed is 1.0 frames/s. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1600 sec.

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Sony W650 Flash and Hot shoe features

Sony W650 has got just built in flash lacking external flash support.

Sony W650 Autofocus features

Sony W650 has got only Contrast Based AF and doesn't have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more snappier and exact as compared with Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera has got Face detection which makes it handy for people photography.

It also includes Tracking AF for subjects that move. Sony W650 lacks manual focusing. Manual focusing is good for low light or you require more accurate control on focus.

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Sony W650 Battery life

The battery life (NP-BN) on the Sony W650 is designed to last for 220 photos based on the CIPA benchmarks which is similar to its competitors. The average Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 features the best (470) battery life for this class of cameras.

Here is a list of Small Sensor Compact cameras that come with the highest battery life:

Sony W650 for specific kinds of photography

The following graph indicates a outline of the Sony W650 for specific kinds of photography. To view more, check out the specific section below.

Sony W650 Portrait photography advice

The Sony W650 has a points total of 34 which is horrible, meaning that it is not really good to use for portrait photography. Shooting portraits favors heavily to sensor dimension, support for RAW files plus the flexibility to work with external lighting.

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decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support

Sony W650 as a Street photography camera

Having a nice score of 63, the Sony W650 is a good fit to buy for street photography. A decent street photography camera comes with a perfect balance of image quality and portability.

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has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support

Sony W650 as a Sports photography camera

A horrible sports photography points total of 40 indicates the Sony W650 is not really good for photographing sports. A camera needs great focusing plus fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus

Sony W650 Travel photography information

Portability is pretty critical in selecting a travel camera. All round, the Sony W650 gets a above average 69 for a travel camera which makes it a respectable fit to buy for your holidays.

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lighter than average (124 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)

Sony W650 Landscape photography details

If you're looking to choose a digital camera for landscape photos, the biggest factor will be image quality. The Sony W650 at it's horrible score of 43 as a landscape camera is not really good within the current marketplace.

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pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode

Sony W650 Vlogging advice

A vlogging camera really should posses a moving screen, mic input and ideally IBIS. Taking all things in to account, the Sony W650 is not really good as a vlog camera as it delivers a horrible rating of 33.

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rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than average (124 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support

Sony W650 Alternatives

If you need replacements to the W650, below is a number of the highest rated cameras which fall within the class of Small Sensor Compact.

The line chart listed below shows you a summary of the W650 versus it's highest ranked competitors listed previously.

Following are additional cameras you might see as alternative options. To read through a complete comparison, go to the "compare" link.

Photography Glossary

Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Sony
Model type
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Class
Small Sensor Compact
Revealed
2012-01-10
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
BIONZ
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution
4608 x 3456
RAW photos
Max native ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points
0
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture
f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range
5cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Range of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3 inch
Screen resolution
230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech
Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
2 secs
Fastest shutter speed
1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed
1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
3.70 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution
1280x720
Video file format
MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
124g (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions
94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
Other
Battery life
220 images
Style of battery
Battery Pack
Battery ID
NP-BN
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media
SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots
Single
Launch pricing
$140